I’ve been passingly interested in the Megami Tensei series for a while.
I’ve been a little intimidated by the number of games that may or may not have been translated and all the ports.
I was hoping someone could give me a rundown of the series and where to start, if I should play with fan translations, or whatever else I should know.
I grew up with the nes and snes, so I’m OK with older RPGs and their nuances.
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So, it’s kinda easy, but also kinda difficult.
There’s multiple sub-series.
If you want a more traditional game, start with Shin Megami Tensei V, the newest of the mainline series. You’re generally safe just jumping in with the newest entry, they’re not exactly the most heavily connected plots. If you dig it, you can always give the older titles a try!
They’re turn-based RPGs(with a bit of a twist), but the main gimmick is that you can recruit enemies to come fight for you. Different personalities like different kinds of things, you have to work it out. You also can unlock ways to resummon and fuse demons to make more powerful demons, some of which are bosses(and deities. Like, Yaweh and Lucifer aren’t unfamiliar faces at times in the series).
SMT: Persona is a sub-series that shares some likeness to the mainline(same demons, demons becoming a form of party member, resummoning and fusing), but takes place in the “modern” world. They also focus heavily on forming bonds with your party mates. While not unfamiliar to the SMT series, the Persona titles really bring it to the forefront.
Start with 3, 4, or 5. FES(PS2)/The upcoming complete edition for the remake, Golden, and Royal are the “complete” versions of each title, respectively. This is becoming the norm of the series, a base version is released and then an updated version with extra story content is later released.
If you get really curious, SMT 1 and 2: Innocent Sin/Eternal Punishment(It’s two halves of the story for 2) aren’t unplayable, by any means, but I would recommend having a guide on hand. They’re much less polished than the later titles.
That’s really the best I can think of for the “default” SMT titles that most would recommend, but other side titles like the Digital Devil Saga games have their own fun twists on the weird world(s) of the SMT series. Just remember that they’re often some form of turn-based gameplay, and when dealing with earlier titles, notoriously difficult/grindy and occasionally obtuse. You’re meant to take advantage of every weakness, exploit every option, but it will be returned onto you. Luck plays a huge factor in a bloodless victory or a total party wipe, though careful planning can give you an edge.
I think SMT and Persona being different games in the same universe is what is confusing me. Is one series considered better than the other generally? Is there some thing that makes these two series different from each other in some significant way?
Story and presentation, really. Persona deals with heavy topics, but it’s framed in a more “slice of life” anime way. If you like managing your time with friends, working on “life skills”, and running dungeons, Persona is for you. Most of your problems are focused on the M.Cs main area.
SMT is more the fight for the world, deciding if you like this framework and want to work within it, or to break it(Where Yaweh and Lucifer can come in! You might fight alongside/against them depending on your choice and game).
I think Persona 4: Golden is a good entry point into the franchise.
Always felt like the Persona and SMT games were fairly different beasts despite the connection. The daily routine, (and thus time) being a part of Persona means you have to plan ahead a bit more then in SMT where the only decisions you might want to have a save before making are the good/neutral/evil path ones.
I’d say SMT4 on the 3DS is a good starting point if you wanted to dive in head-first to the mainline series. Otherwise maybe Persona 3 Reloaded for the Persona games.
Edit: A curveball good entry to the series would be Devil Survivor for the Nintendo DS. It’s extremely easy to emulate with modern phones, physical copies are not as expensive as the 3DS games (but still expensive) and there is no region lock on DS so you have some lattitude to shop around if you want to use original hardware. In some ways that game does Persona better than the Persona games do, all while having a classic SMT mainline story of law vs chaos.
I cannot speak on the rest of the series, but I have played devil survivor 1 and 2:
Devil Survivor 1 does have a bit of a difficulty curve that can take one by surprise with the first major boss and it is like priming the player towards what to expect but its story I personally enjoyed.
Devil Survivor 2 is lighter in tone, well compared to the Devil Survivor 1, but I felt it was a smoother experience - doesn’t feel as tightly packaged but it does compensate with having a better presentation and provides choice in a lot clearer manner.
I liked Devil Survivor 1 story better but enjoyed Devil Survivors 2 gameplay more
Thanks for the recommendation. I was wondering why you recommended SMT4 on 3DS. But I now realize that it is different than persona 4. I guess it is a bit confusing for me still. I think I am more interested in the mainline series. I found an English translation of SMT 1 and 2 for snes.
How different is Persona from SMT?
Persona is heavier on story, has dating sim elements and operates off a calendar system to progress the story. Hard to explain the calendar system but essentially events are timeboxed and there can be dead time if you finish the main mission quickly. Persona games try to emulate an anime.
SMT is the original series. Easier to explain: it’s like pokemon with mythological creatures and a light philosophy story. I don’t know if I’d recommend starting with SMT 1 or 2, even if they are arguably some of the best in the series.
Edit: I also prefer mainline to Persona. Should reiterate that Devil Survivor is definitely worth checking out. Not patient gamers but the new release of SMTV would also be a good starting point.
SMT1 has a great intro but it is confusing and does not hold your hand. Some mechanics are straight up broken so you can steamroll the game if you know about them (electric bullets). All of the games are like that to some extent. SMT2 is less confusing and might have the best story in the series.
Thanks! I do not think I’d like Persona, but SMT sounds cool. I like old RPGs, so I am kinda most excited for them.
Persona now very popular. I read digital devil saga good. Other game is soul hackers?
I think the newer games better to play first.
I’ve heard 3 is good too, but challenging so maybe not for a first entry.
